Using film and media as catalysts for cultural transformation, The Representation Project inspires individuals and communities to challenge and overcome limiting stereotypes so that everyone, regardless of gender, race, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, or circumstance, can fulfill their human potential

In “the public” an unusually bitter Arctic blast has made it’s way to downtown Cincinnati and the front doors of the public library where the action of the film takes place. The story revolves around the library patrons, many of whom are homeless, mentally ill and marginalized, as well as an exhausted and overwhelmed staff of librarians who often build emotional connections and a sense of obligation to care for those regular patrons. At odds with library officials over how to handle the extreme weather event, the Patrons turn the building into a homeless shelter for the night by staging an “Occupy” sit in. What begins as an act of civil disobedience becomes a stand off with police and a rush-to-judgment media constantly speculating about what’s really happening. This David versus Goliath story tackles some of our nation’s most challenging issues, homelessness and mental illness and sets the drama inside one of the last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library.

Moviemakers filmed 10 major motion pictures in Cincinnati in 2016 and that action isn’t slowing down in 2017. The film “the public” is currently in production in Downtown Cincinnati.

Cincinnati gets to play the role of itself in “the public,” a film written and directed by Emilio Estevez. It stars Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling, Jeffrey Wright, Michael K. Williams, Jenna Malone, and Christian Slater. This is the largest ensemble cast production to film in Cincinnati in 30 years.